SINGLE and looking to escape Valentine’s Day? One Carlisle business is offering the chance to do just that.

Red Herring Escape Rooms, on Nelson Street, Denton Holme, is offering adventure seekers the chance to avoid the romance for a special single’s night, with the opportunity to bring along a friend to take on the challenges.

Slots for the one-hour events start are available between 6.30pm and 9pm this evening (Thursday).

Elizabeth Brooks, who works at the escape rooms, told the News & Star: “Anyone is welcome to come along, either on their own, or with a friend to take on one of our rooms.

“You can find the clues, make new friends, and perhaps even find a new partner too.”

The escape rooms first opened in September last year, with a choice of three different themed rooms on offer.

A group of participants will then have an hour to complete a series of challenges in the room.

The three escape rooms are Surelock, with inspiration from the books by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The War Room - both of which are suitable for children, and finally, The Asylum.

The Surelock room is an Edwardian study, providing challengers the chance to step back in time and enter the fictional world of Detective Sherlock Homes and his assistant, Dr Watson.

Next, the War Room presents a number of tasks relating to codes and cyphers which aims to be more challenging than SureLock.

What begins as an ordinary day for the players quickly changes, as reports start coming in of an imminent attack.

The clues and reports begin to escalate until there’s a gas attack, with people in the outside world changing to zombies.

Participants hold the antidote, and have to figure out a way to complete the task, and save the day.

Finally, the Asylum room again transports challengers way back to the late 1800s as part of a dark horror story.

The fictional Huey Smalt, home for the criminally insane, was shut down due to revelations of illegal ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy), carried out by former warden Dr M. Shelley.

An electrician was sent in to find out why electricity was still being used.

But, he never returned.

It’s up to the attendees to get in there and investigate further.

Mystery surrounds one inmate, who was never accounted for. It’s said that she still roams the corridors and walls of the home.

The escape rooms were opened by Simon Watson, a 47-year-old electrician, who said he was lacking creativity in his life and decided to give the escape rooms a go.

The Sherlock-themed room opened first, followed by the other two rooms before Christmas.

The escape room activities can be completed by between two and six people.

They are designed for players over the age of 14.

Players under 16 should be accompanied by at least one adult (18 plus).

Any younger players will need to be part of an older team.

Elizabeth added: “Although we don’t usually recommend younger than 10, if in a party of adults that should be fine but must be supervised at all times.

“Our games are not considered appropriate for children’s parties.”

Tickets are £20, with those interested encouraged to book in advance.

The escape rooms are open seven days a week.

For more information, visit: www.redherringescaperooms.co.uk.

To make a booking, call 07792 461415.